JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Welcome to the dead zone, amiriiight!??

We're indeed into the throes of the 2026 NFL offseason. But while that may feel dead-ish to some, loyal O-Zone readers – and he knows who he is – know that the true "dead zone" is the June-July offseason stretch between the end of the offseason program and the beginning of training camp. It is during that time that players, coaches and personnel types go on vacation – and the league in a sense pushes the snooze button on news and ongoings. This late January/February stretch periodically has that feel, but the league by design – and by schedule – ensures that this time isn't truly dead. The franchise/transition tag "window" opens this week, with the NFL Scouting Combine scheduled in Indianapolis in late February. The free-agency "negotiating period" follows from March 9-11, with the League Year beginning March 11 at 4 p.m. That's the moment teams can finalize trades and sign unrestricted free agents. Fans will have plenty of reason at that time to fan, and any dead feeling typically is blasted beyond recognition. So … no, Michael. It ain't dead yet.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, if I had to choose who to re-sign or place a franchise tag on it would be ETN. Due to an injury, he missed his rookie season – thus, he only has four years on his legs. For the most part, he has been good. Lloyd, on the other hand, has been a work in progress until he hit his contract season – when he became very good. Up until this past season, he has been meh. If I was GM, I would sign ETN and place the franchise tag on Lloyd and see if he shows up again in his fifth year.

This would be reasonable approach if the Jaguars wanted to retain either player enough to do it. I don't expect the Jaguars to either re-sign running back Travis Etienne Jr. or place the franchise/transition tag on linebacker Devin Lloyd. While the Jaguars could do these things – even with their salary-cap situation – positional value just doesn't make it make sense when trying to build and structure the roster for the long term.

Bradley from Death Valley, CA

Wait. What? The state of California likes to collect taxes?

Bradley's got jokes.

William from Neptune Beach, FL

One thing that scares me about the Jaguars is the tendency to be complacent. This, I believe, is the reason this team has not made the postseason in consecutive seasons in what seems like forever. What is being done to fix this problem?

The Jaguars indeed have not made the postseason in consecutive seasons since making it in four consecutive seasons from 1996-1999. That team absolutely was not complacent, in large part because then-Head Coach Tom Coughlin set a tone of constant improvement. That team did so steadily enough that it was something of a shock when after following two wild-card playoff berths with two division titles – and the AFC's best record in 1999 – it suddenly slid to 7-9 in 2000. I expect the Jaguars to contend for and make the postseason in the coming seasons in part because there absolutely is a feeling around the organization that nothing short of the Super Bowl is "enough." The phrase "the next game is the most important game in franchise history" became a theme last season. It was more than a phrase. It became a defining mindset. Will that continue to be the case? That's what we find out next.

Eric from St. Augustine, FL

Jordan Stolz is the real god, I guess.

We're leaning into the Olympics here, and my Scooby Sense – not my Spidey or Scobee sense – tells me you're taking a bit of a shot at figure skating favorite Ilia Malinin of the United States while acknowledging uber-impressive speed skater Jordan Stolz of the United States. Malinin, nicknamed the "Quad God" for his ability to land insanely difficult "quadruple" jumps, indeed had a difficult-to-watch meltdown in his long program – with his eighth-place finish widely considered the biggest surprise of the Winter Games thus far. Stoltz, meanwhile, was anything but disappointing and has won Gold in his first two events – the 500 and 1,000 meters. I'm not really big on piling on Malinin. He handled his disappointment with impressive class and grace. But Stoltz is truly phenomenal. It's always cool watching true greatness – and the Winter Olympics is cool because it reminds us that there are parts of the world where athletes from sports other than football are superstars. All Hail King Klaebo. Right? Right?

George from Lakewood

Good to see Gary is back.

Is it?

Eric from Jacksonville

Why no love for Foye?

I don't know what "love" means in this context. I know Foye Oluokon is one of the best linebackers in Jaguars history – and I know he was critical to the Jaguars' defense last season. He's reliable, smart and one of the NFL's best tacklers. Defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton was critical to the Jaguars' No. 1-ranked run defense in 2025, but Oluokun was right there with him as a reason the team was so strong in this area. Oluokun will enter his ninth NFL season in 2026. He has missed just six games in eight seasons. The NFL takes a toll, particularly at his position. Here's hoping Oluokun can continue pushing through and staying at his level. He's a remarkable player and the Jaguars are better with him than without.

Adam from Neptune Beach, FL

Is Rusty still in the Navy?

I don't know where Rusty is. He may be out back.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John, Andrew "Dewey" Wingard remains one of my favorite Jags. Arguably, 2025 was his best season in teal. He started most games next to Eric Murray and was second on the team in tackles and was more than adequate in coverage. Combined with his intangible on and off field leadership and ability to fire up the team and the crowd, Dewey was an important contributor to the defense. As an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2026 offseason, where does resigning Dewey rank on the Jags' priority list?

Safety Andrew Wingard is one of my favorite Jaguars players, too. He is everything you want in a player: Hard worker, smart, team first, high confidence, always prepared. He entered the NFL by signing with the Jaguars as a collegiate free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft – and against that humble backdrop made himself into a reliable, popular player with whom cans clearly identity. You also couldn't not love the phrase he coined during the 2022 AFC South Championship run, with "It Was Always the Jags" forever linked with that season. I agree that the 2025 season ranked among his best seasons. He started 16 of 16 games played, with 84 tackles, nine passes defensed and an interception. I expect his Jaguars future is in question, though, because I expect Murray, Antonio Johnson and Caleb Ransaw will be the team's top three safeties in 2026. Wingard could want to play somewhere where he will be one of the top three. I selfishly hope I'm wrong. It's more fun being around this team when Dewey is around.

Kevin from Jacksonville

Have you heard from former longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette lately?

No. He might be in Italy for the games. He was always better in the cold.

Jim from Jacksonville Beach

Fiddle or violin?

I could say "violin," but c'mon: Does anyone really want to drink with anyone who would honestly say "violin?"

Bill from Jacksonville

It's time to stop celebrating. The Jaguars made the playoffs. They also lost in the first round, which people around here seem to have forgotten. They have to get better. What do you see as the Jaguars' biggest offseason needs?

First, no one "around here" – i.e., the people running the organization – has forgotten the AFC Wild Card Playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last month, and no one "around here" is under any delusion that the Jaguars don't have to improve next season. I think a lot of the improvement will come from the rookie class, with players such as Ransaw, running back Bhayshul Tuten cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, offensive lineman Wyatt Milum and center Jonah Monheim all absolutely having potential to accelerate develop and contribute significantly next season. Where else? I expect corner to be an offseason focus, along with linebacker, defensive tackle and running back. Keep an eye on what the Jaguars do on the edge. They're good there. You always can get better.

Jim from Jax

I just want to say that I really appreciate and get a laugh from your "titles" that you place on every Ozone. (Eg, "good to go" for the last title). Perhaps an element of the Ozone which is overlooked?

I am the king of all funk.